Browse Films

Since 9-11 and the passage of the USA Patriot Act, immigrants' rights to civil liberties have been profoundly diminished under the rubric of "national security". VOICES IN EXILE gives historical context to these contemporary issues, by drawing connections between recent campaigns against Muslims and Arab Americans, the anti-communism of the McCarthy era and the post-WWI Palmer raids. VOICES IN EXILE succinctly documents the beginnings of the longest running deportation case in US history: the 20 year trial of the "LA 8". This riveting video examines plans for rounding up Arab Americans, reminiscent of the WWII internment of Japanese Americans, and foreshadowing Guantanamo. The ACLU and Center for Constitutional Rights take on the FBI, INS and Justice Department (now Homeland Security) in a courtroom battle over First Amendment rights for all non-citizen residents.

By drawing historical connections between the recent hysterical campaigns directed against Arab Americans, the anti-communism of the McCarthy era and the post-WWI Palmer raids against immigrant radicals, VOICES IN EXILE addresses civil liberties issues far beyond the case of the 'L.A. 8'... A good teaching tool on immigrant rights and diversity."
Joel Beinin
Professor of History, Stanford University

Through VOICES IN EXILE, we are able to meet the faces and hear the voices of those the government would prefer remain faceless and voiceless among us. An important documentary about an important issue.
Kip Steinberg
Hastings Law School Professor

AWARDS & SCREENINGS:

• Honorable Mention, San Francisco International Film Festival
• Finalist, Women in the Director's Chair
• Certificate of Merit, NY Expo of Short Films & Videos
• Video Pick of the Week, L.A. Weekly